Summer Wardrobe for Twenty Bucks

One of my fellow bargain hunting girlfriends gave me a call in the middle of the day on Friday...

She told me that Old Navy was taking an additional 40% off of already clearance marked prices!

I had to find out for myself...

I checked online before I left, and printed a 20% off coupon.

Here are pictures of what I snagged...

Boatneck sweater for the rainy northwest summer days

Yes, the sticker actually says $2.41. Plus an additional 40% off, plus the 20% off coupon for the total purchase price!

Sweet, knee-length summer sheath dress for less than $1.50

Dark denim, bootcut jeans with white peasant top

Sweet little detail on the waist of the jeans...

bow-sleeved peasant top for farmers' market trips

Summery stripes!

 Interested to know how much all of these pieces cost?

I'll tell ya...$18.00!

No kidding!

I also snagged this cobalt blue skirt from the clearance racks at Target for $6.00 when I used a $3.00 off coupon from Target online.

Shopping for summer clothing mid-spring is the BEST way to score outfits you that also work for summer. Just don't be afraid to dig for deals in bargain bins!

$200 a Month Grocery Challenge

Spring is here!

Which got me thinking...

Summer is just around the corner, and with it come all sorts of fun (and usually expensive) activities. 

BBQs, weekend getaways, lunches on sunny patios across the city...

To prepare my budget for the fun ahead, this month I challenge myself to spend only $200 on groceries and household items this month. 

That's only $50 per week!

Our typical grocery budget is $300 to $350 per month. We also add an additional $20 for household items like toilet paper, bleach, etc.. We try to eat organic whenever possible, so it makes grocery shopping pretty expensive.

With luck, I'll have a nice stash of cash left over at the end of the month for concerts, hiking trips and more!

I started my challenge today, with trips to my neighborhood Albertson's and QFC. 

Here is a picture of my haul:

The retail price for all of this (without discounts and coupons) would have been $75.87.

Total spent: $27.85!

Not bad for a new couponer ay?

BEST deals:

The Starbucks Refreshers were FREE with a coupon from this weeks newspaper.

The Bayer Advanced retails for $4.50. I bought it for $.25!

The SeaPak coconut shrimp retails for $8.40 EACH, and I purchased them each for $2.20. They were buy 1 get 1 free with a $1.00 coupon that doubled to $2.00 off. 

Organics products:

oranges, bananas and milk

Do you clip coupons?

Freebies!

 Living frugally is deeply rewarding in many ways, but from one week to the next it can get kind of drab and monotonous. I shouldn't just hop in the car and head to Nordstrom for a new shiny, sparkly little something when I feel the urge.

But who wouldn't want a brand new lotion delivered to their door?

What pooch wouldn't enjoy a sample bag of yummy treats?

Two months ago I started signing up for freebies right and left because many of the bloggers I follow post about the amazing free loot they receive.

I couldn't resist.

Looking for them is exciting, like a treasure hunt.

Today I want to share with you a few of the items I received this week.

Beneful Baked Delights (both Hugs and Stars) sample bags

Tide PODS sample

Purex Sample (with $.50 off coupon)

Simple Refreshing Facial Wash Gel

1 Stayfree Panty Liner (with $1.00 off coupon)

Eucerin Calming Lotion (with $1.00 off coupon)

Escada Escape perfume sample

The little perfume sample card, though disappointing (I thought it would come in a bottle!) will be great for vacations when I don't want to risk taking a full bottle. Nothing worse than a big bottle of designer perfume marinating on your clothes during an 8-hour flight.

What I have decided is that, though it takes a few minutes each day to sign up for the latest and greatest freebies, it is worth the time.

Try starting your treasure chest of freebies.

The list of blogs below might be a good place to start.
Please share any other resources you find.

The Frugal Find

Free Stuff Finder

Free Stuff Times

Happy freebie hunting!

Freckles and the Super Hero

This is my boyfriend...

okay, maybe 22 years ago.

Don't you want to just pinch his little freckled cheeks?

Don't you want to just help him with his science project?

Little did this young man know, he would one day partner up for life with a superhero...

I bettcha didn't know that all of the super-est of super heroes wear giant white velcro shoes.

Anyway, I share these totally awesome pictures with you because today I took some new pictures of My Love for his business website.

Usually, when asked to be in a photo, he freezes up like he is getting his mug shot taken. His beautiful natural smile turns into something of a grimace...Eeek! 

But today was a magical day (perhaps because a superhero was taking the pictures?).

I just had to share this momentus occasion with all of you.

My Love is a graphic designer.

We wanted to take some pictures of him that would show how sweet and friendly he is.

Which picture would look best on his website?

Awwww....

Which picture should he use?

Happy Friday

This week I have been inspired by Shauna Niequist's book, cold tangerines.

Here are a few quotes, along with some awesome

dog videos (you can learn a lot from your pooch).

Shauna writes:

"...this is what I'm finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way.

That thing I'm waiting for, that adventure, that movie-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks,

in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables,

in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets--this pedestrian life is

the most precious thing any of us will ever experience."

Dogs in Cars, from Keith Hopkin on Vimeo

"I don't want to wait anymore. I choose to believe that there is nothing more sacred or profound than this day. I choose to believe that there may be a thousand big moments embedded in this day,
waiting to be discovered like tiny shards of gold."

Beautiful Day at the Dog Park from Kelsey Wynns on Vimeo.

Roll in the grass. 

Catch a frisbee.

Frolic in the spring sun.

Have a good weekend.

Frugal Fun: Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk

Today, it just felt like summer would never come...

It seems like it has been raining for forty days and forty nights.

Each morning I expect a splintery wooden ark to be docked in the ferry terminal.

This evening, My Love and I ran out between the raindrops to visit some shops in downtown Edmonds, part of Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk.

Hip Hip Hooray for cheese at the Resident Cheesemonger

Each shop featured a local artist and/or musician.
They invited the neighbors to come in and enjoy free treats.

Piper Peterson-Lee's gorgeous handmade chocolate display from Immaculate Confections. Holy Cocoa!

...we drooled over Rick Steve's travel books at his main office.



Afterward, we snuggled up at home for Game #2 of the Ultimate Scrabble Championships...With thai takeout for sustenance we played a grueling game.
I am excited to announce that we are TIED!

He with his powerful triple word scores, me with my 4-syllable words.

Totally tied.

Our third and final game will declare the winner...

Stay tuned...

Limited Time: $15 off of $15 purchase at The Limited through March 15

Who doesn't love free stuff?

Use this coupon now through Thursday for $15 a purchase of $15 or more at The Limited, excluding clearance. Other restrictions apply (see fine print below coupon). $15 is certainly good for a new cami or some other pretty little thing to boost my spring wardrobe. I'm there!

https://embednr.involver.com/cache/imgs/105144721/520x2000.jpg

This pretty pink pair is only $16.90--$1.90 plus tax out of pocket!

A few (frugal) things...

1. Lovely Dishware
When I graduated from college and got my first "grown up" apartment, I purchased matching towels, matching sheets, matching dishware (all mostly from Target) in an attempt to feel mature and oh so sophisticated...heheeee......


The set of 4 dinner plates, salad plates and mugs I originally purchased seemed like more than enough for a single girl on the town and her takeout selection du jour.
Now that I live with my Love, AND we are trying to save money by eating at home more often, we need more dishes. I found these sweet and simple white dishes at Dollar Tree. We purchased 8 sets of dinner plates, salad bowls and mugs. Grand total--$24.00 plus tax.

 
2. Swagbucks

Swagbucks are an online "currency" you earn by doing things you are probably already doing: using a search engine, watching videos, shopping. You can also earn extra points for participating in surveys, taking advantage of online promotions or clipping and using coupons. Once you've earned enough points, you can go shopping through an extensive online store. 

I have been purchasing Amazon.com gift cards (450 swagbucks for a $5 card) to use on Christmas presents this year. WOOHOO!

http://www.swagbucks.com/

3. Goodreads  (Only book nerds need proceed)

Who doesn't love spending a rainy winter afternoon with a good book?

My favorite hobby has been much more fun since my discovery of Goodreads.

On this website, you can keep track the books you have read, loved reading, hated reading, hope to read and aspire to read. You can browse the history of what your friends have read, and search through a database of book reviews and  thousands book lists about every subject you can imagine. 

Raise your hand if you have ever kept a list of the books you read. I kept my running list in an old pea green notebook I snagged at a Goodwill store for $.50.

I'm about to get really nerdy here....

SERIOUSLY nerdy....

Using goodreads, you can actually track the number of books you have read and...ahem...the number of pages too...Ever think about that? 

I read 56 books last year. That's over 20,000 pages!

Oh this website is too much for this biblionerd to take!



Used book haul from recent trip to Powell's Books in Portland, OR

Small but Mighty: The Chia Seed

 The Chia Pet dominated the stocking stuffer and gag gift markets of the 90s.

Did you ever own one?

Turns out, the chia seeds of these sweet little ceramic critters are considered superfoods because of their complex nutritional profile. 

Chia seeds are said to have 2x the protein of any other seed or grain.

3x more iron than spinach.

5x the calcium of milk.

They are also a fantastic source of fiber.

*5 times the calcium of milk, plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones,

*2 times the amount of potassium as bananas,

*3 times the reported antioxidant strength of blueberries

*3 times more iron than spinach

*copious amounts of omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential fatty acids


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468.html#ixzz1k835Njfu

Chia seeds can be easily incorporated into a lot of dishes. They have a mild and pleasant flavor. 

You can add them to smoothies, bake them into your favorite cookie recipes or sprinkle them into oatmeal. 

Organic chia seeds are very reasonably priced, and a little goes a long way.

We get ours in bulk at the local co-op, but good deals can easily be found online.

So be liberal in your chia sprinkling. Go nuts!

 

Chia Seed Maple Pudding 

(adapted from www.whatscookinggoodlooking.com)

Makes 6 dessert size portions.

A great sweet treet for any time of day, chia seed pudding is similar to tapioca pudding in consistency but it is packed with all of the nutritional value chia seeds have to offer.

4 cups of almond milk (I used vanilla, but plain is probably good too)
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1/4 cup of maple syrup (you may want to add a bit more if you have a sweeter tooth)
3/4 cup of chia seeds

bananas, blueberries, strawberries (optional)

In a large bowl, mix together the almond milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup until combined. Gently stir in the chia seeds. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, to allow the chia seeds to gel and firm up. Spoon into individual dishes, top with fresh fruit and serve!

Snowpocalypse 2012 and Avocado, Spinach and White Bean Enchiladas

Day #3 of "Snowpacalypse" in the Pacific Northwest.

The snow has finally stopped, but the roads are still frozen solid.

I guess you could say the cabin fever is setting in...

We took a break from the jigsaw puzzles and movies to take a long walk through the winter wonderland.

Our town was blanketed with 6" of snow.

It was so quiet. So peaceful.

With no cars braving the roads, we danced in the middle of the street!

Cadence brought her tennis ball. She always carries it with her no matter how long the walk. 

The beach was abandoned, but beautiful, covered in snow.

After the cold walk, we had a hankering for spicy Mexican food. 

I made Avocado, White Bean and Spinach Enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce. 

This dish is totally vegan, but can easily become a carnivore's delight!

Please forgive my food photography skills...this dish tasted much better than it looks in this photo. 

Avocado, Spinach and White Bean Enchiladas (Vegan)

Adapted from The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen

Preparation time: about 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves 4

½ cup fresh lemon or lime juice

3 medium-sized ripe avocados, diced

1 cup cooked white beans

1 cup frozen corn thawed

1 cup packed fresh spinach

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, minced, plus more for garnish

3 medium-sized tomatoes, diced

6 scallions (both green and white parts), diced

tortillas of your choice (I used organic corn tortillas)

Red Enchilada Sauce (see recipe below)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 medium cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 

2. If you are using frozen tortillas, defrost them first--fully wrapped--to prevent their drying out.  

3. Prepare the sauce (see below). 

4. Place lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. Peel and pit the avocados, cut them into small dice and add them to the lemon juice. Toss lightly. 

5. Add remaining ingredients and mix gently.

6. Moisten the tortillas. Katzen has a great summary of the three methods:

   a. Sauté them briefly on each side in a little oil ("Very briefly" means approximately 10 seconds.).

   b. Dip them briefly in the sauce ("Briefly" means a dunking, not a bath). I used this method.

   c. Dip them just as briefly in water (least desirable, however easiest).

7. Assemble the enchiladas by placing a few tablespoons of filling on one side of each tortilla and rolling it up. Pour a small amount of sauce into a shallow baking dish, add the enchiladas and pour the remaining sauce over the top. Cover with foil, and bake for about 30 minutes.

For the Red Enchilada Sauce

5 medium-sized tomatoes, diced

1 large red bell pepper, minced

1 tablespoon salt

5 large cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat, partially cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. 

2. You can leave it chunky of puree in a food processor or blender (I used an immersion blender). For extra smooth sauce, pass the puree through a fine strainer or sieve (I did not do this).